Stored Value Card and Carrier System and Method of Manufacturing

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

The present invention relates generally to stored value cards. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stored value card and carrier system and a method of manufacturing the stored value card and carrier system wherein accessing of the activation indicia of the stored value card necessarily corresponds with destruction of at least a portion of the carrier.

Stored value cards, also referred to as pre-paid cards or gift cards, are generally known in the prior art and are used by consumers to perform financial transactions. Unlike a debit card, the monetary value is typically stored on the card itself rather than in a financial institution account.

Historically, stored value cards have been adhered to various forms of a carrier or other packaging to present the card for sale to consumers. A consumer may select a stored value card from a store display and present the card along with the carrier to a cashier. The cashier may utilize activation indicia displayed on the stored value card to activate (i.e., add value to) the card. The cashier may scan the activation indicia (e.g., where the activation indicia is a barcode), swipe the activation indicia (e.g., where the activation indicia is a magnetic strip), input the activation indicia into a check-out system (e.g., where the activation indicia is a unique code), or the like.

Fraudsters have developed processes and schemes to compromise the stored value cards. Merchants have attempted to prevent such fraud by securing the carrier around the card, thus creating an external carrier with security features and an internal security feature free area where the stored value card is located. However, these fraudsters penetrate the outside security of the carrier and reach the security feature free area where the store value card is located. Once the fraudster has reached this security feature free area, they remove the card, capture information, or manipulate the card, and return the card to the carrier. The compromised stored value card is then sold to an unsuspecting consumer who becomes the victim of the fraud through the loss of funds on the card.

Accordingly, a need exists for improvements in stored value card and carrier systems wherein removing the stored value card from the carrier destroys the carrier and thus provides a visual clue that the carrier has been tampered with prior to purchase.

This Summary of the Disclosure is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect in accordance with the present disclosure is a stored value card and carrier system comprising a carrier and a stored value card. The carrier may include first and second panels. The first and second panels may be coupled together to define a chamber therein having four sides. The chamber may be sealed on each of the four sides, such that egress to an interior of the chamber is substantially prevented. The stored value card may have activation indicia displayed thereon. The stored value card may be situated within the chamber and adhered to at least one inner surface of the chamber. Accessing the activation indicia of the stored value card may necessarily correspond with destruction of at least one of the first and second panels.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a first side of the stored value card may be adhered to a first inner surface of the chamber and a second side of the stored value card may be adhered to a second inner surface of the chamber.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the activation indicia is displayed on a first side of the stored value card and the first side of the stored value card is adhered to the at least one inner surface of the chamber.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the activation indicia may be displayed on a first side of the stored value card and a second side of the stored value card may be adhered to the at least one inner surface of the chamber. The second side of the stored value card may be opposite the first side.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the carrier may include a removable pull-tab defined in either the first or second panel. The removable pull-tab may be at least partially covering the activation indicia of the stored value card. The stored value card may be adhered to the removable pull-tab.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, at least portions of the stored value card surrounding the activation indicia may be adhered to the removable pull-tab.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the removable pull-tab may include first and second perforated edges coupling the removable pull-tab to the remaining portions of the either first or second panel. Accessing of the activation indicia of the stored value card may necessarily correspond with destruction of at least the removable pull-tab.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the stored value card and carrier system may further comprise a label adhered to the stored value card at least partially covering the activation indicia. A side of the stored value card displaying the activation indicia may be adhered to the at least one inner surface of the chamber.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the stored value card and carrier system may further comprise a label adhered to the stored value card at least partially covering the activation indicia. A first side of the stored value card may be adhered to a first inner surface of the chamber and a second side of the stored value card may be adhered to a second inner surface of the chamber.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of the first and second panels may include a plurality of slits. The plurality of slits may be located adjacent to at least a portion of the four sides of the chamber.

Another aspect in accordance with the present disclosure is a method of manufacturing a stored value card and carrier system comprising situating a stored value card having activation indicia between first and second panels of a carrier, adhering the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels, and coupling the first and second panels together to define a chamber having four sides. The chamber may be sealed on each of the four sides such that egress to an interior of the chamber is substantially prevented. When the stored value card is situated within the chamber, accessing of the activation indicia of the stored value card may necessarily correspond with destruction of at least one of the first and second panels.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, adhering the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels may include adhering a first side of the stored value card to an inner surface of the first panel and a second side of the stored value card to an inner surface of the second panel.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the activation indicia may be displayed on a first side of the stored value card and adhering the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels may include adhering the first side of the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the activation indicia may be displayed on a first side of the stored value card and adhering the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels may include adhering a second side of the stored value card to at least one inner surface of the first and second panels. The second side of the stored value card may be opposite the first side.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the method of manufacture further comprises defining a removable pull-tab in either the first or second panel and adhering the stored value card to the removable pull-tab. The removable pull-tab may at least partially cover the activation indicia of the stored value card.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, adhering the stored value card to the removable pull-tab may include adhering at least a portion of the stored value card surrounding the activation indicia to the removable pull-tab.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the removable pull-tab may include first and second perforated edges coupling the removable pull-tab to the remaining portions of the either first or second panel. Accessing of the activation indicia of the stored value card may necessarily correspond with destruction of at least the removable pull-tab.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the method of manufacture further comprises adhering a label to the stored value card at least partially covering the activation indicia. A side of the stored value card displaying the activation indicia may be adhered to the at least one inner surface of the first and second panels.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, the method of manufacture further comprises adhering a label to the stored value card at least partially covering the activation indicia. A first side of the stored value card may be adhered to an inner surface of the first panel and a second side of the stored value card may be adhered to an inner surface of the second panel.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of the first and second panels may include a plurality of slits. The plurality of slits may be located adjacent to at least a portion of the four sides of the chamber.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth therein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

The words “connected,” “attached,” “joined,” “mounted,” “fastened,” and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof, and the like.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or multiple components.

Referring now to the figures, and specifically, a stored value card and carrier system is shown and generally referred to as number. The stored value card and carrier systemmay include a stored value cardand a carrier. The stored value cardmay also be referred to herein as a gift card. The carriermay also be referred to herein as packaging.

The stored value cardmay include a front side and a back side positioned opposite the front side. The stored value cardmay include activation indiciadisplayed thereon. The activation indiciamay include a barcode, magnetic stripe, unique code, or the like. The activation indiciamay be displayed on the front side and/or the back side. The stored value cardmay be configured to store a monetary value thereon. The stored value cardmay be configured in both an inactive and active state. When the stored value cardis in the inactive state, the stored value card may not have a monetary value stored or otherwise associated therewith. When the stored value cardis in the active state, the stored value card may have a monetary value stored or otherwise associated therewith.

In one exemplary use scenario, a consumer may present the stored value cardto a cashier associated with a retail store for activation. The cashier may be required to view or otherwise interact with the activation indiciain order to activate the stored value card. In certain exemplary embodiments, the activation indiciamay be a barcode that the cashier scans via a reader device associated with a computer of the retail store. In other exemplary embodiments, the activation indiciamay be a magnetic stripe that the cashier “swipes” through a reader associated with a computer of the retail store. In other exemplary embodiments, the activation indiciamay be a unique code that the cashier manually inputs into a computer of the retail store. Thus, the stored value cardmay not be activated (i.e., changed from an inactive state to an active state) without viewing or otherwise interacting with the activation indicia.

The carriermay be configured to receive and support the stored value cardand may include a first paneland a second panel. In certain optional embodiments, the first and second panels,may be substantially similar in shape and size. However, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure for the first and second panels,to have differing shapes and sizes. In certain exemplary embodiments, such as the embodiments shown herein, each of the first and second panels,may be generally rectangular. Generally rectangular may refer to a rectangular outline that may have slight irregularities or non-linearities such as, for example, rounded corners.

The first panelmay define a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side. The first panelmay be referred to as having an inner surfaceA and an outer surfaceB. The second panelmay define a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side. The second panelmay be referred to as having an inner surfaceA and an outer surfaceB. The first paneland second panelmay be formed in a single sheet of material. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first sideof the first paneland the first sideof the second panelmay be defined along a common fold lineformed in the single sheet of material. The common fold linemay be scored for ease of folding. In other optional embodiments, the second sideof the first paneland the second sideof the second panelmay be defined along a common fold lineformed in the single sheet of material. In other optional embodiments, the first paneland second panelmay be formed from two separate sheets of material. Each of the first and second panels,may include a hang hookdefined therein configured to receive a retail store's display hook therethrough.

The first panelmay include a heightextending from the bottom edgeto the top edgeand a widthextending from the first sideto the second side. The second panelmay include a heightextending from the bottom edgeto the top edgeand a widthextending from the first sideto the second side. The heightof the first panelmay be greater than the widthof the first panel. The heightof the second panelmay be greater than the widthof the second panel. However, in other optional embodiments, the width,of the first and second panels,may be greater than the height,of the first and second panels,, respectively.

The first and second panels,may be coupled together to define a chambertherein having four (4) sides. The first panelmay be folded toward the second panel, as shown insuch that the first and second panels,couple together to form a sealed carrier, as shown in.depicts the stored value card and carrier systemwherein the carrieris sealed, but the first panelhas been removed to expose the chamber. Each of the four (4) sides of the chambermay be generally referred to by number. Each sideof the chambermay be formed where the first and second panels,are coupled together. Thus, the top edges,may form a side, the bottom edges,may form a side, the first sides,may form a side, and the second sides,may form a side. The chambermay be sealed on each of the four (4) sidessuch that egress to an interior of the chamberis substantially prevented. Thus, each of the four (4) sidesmay connect such that they form a continuous shape. “Continuous” as used herein may refer to embodiments wherein an adhesiveis intermittently used such that there are portions of the sidesof the chamberwherein no adhesiveis present. Thus, the adhesivemay still form a continuous perimeter even when there are portions of the sidesof the chamberwherein no adhesiveis present. Thus, the chambermay be described as being “sealed” when there are portions of the sidesof the chamberwherein no adhesiveis present.

The adhesivemay be arranged along the four (4) sidesin a specific pattern. In the exemplary embodiments shown in, the adhesiveis arranged in a pattern wherein strips of adhesiveare arranged along a substantial portion of the first sides,and second sides,of the first and second panels,. Smaller strips of adhesivemay be arranged intermittently along the top edges,, and bottom edges,. In optional embodiments wherein the carrierincludes hang hook, adhesivemay be arranged around the hang hooksuch that the adhesiveforms a substantially continuous perimeter.

The first and second panels,may be coupled together via adhesive, fasteners, or the like. In certain optional embodiments, the carriermay be configured such that the same adhesive, fasteners, or the like can't be reused to couple the first and second panels,together once the coupling between the first and second panels,has been broken. In other words, the chamberis configured such that re-sealing the chamberwould be visually detectable to a consumer.

The stored value card and carrier systemmay be configured such that the stored value cardmay be situated within the chamber. The stored value cardmay be adhered to at least one inner surface of the chambervia the adhesive. The inner surfaces of the chambermay include the inner surfacesA,A of the first and second panels,, respectively.

The adhesiveused to adhere the stored value cardto the first and/or second panels,may be the same adhesiveused to couple the first and second panels,together. The adhesivemay be an epoxy, polyurethane, polyimide, permanent hot glue, permanent cold glue, or the like. In certain optional embodiments, two or more types of adhesivesmay be used to increase the security of the stored value card and carrier system.

In certain optional embodiments, only one of either the front side or the back side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to an inner surface of the chamber. In other optional embodiments, both the front side and back side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to inner surfaces of the chamber. For example, the front side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to a first inner surface of the chamberand the back side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to a second inner surface of the chamber. Alternatively, the back side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to the first inner surface of the chamberand the front side of the stored value cardmay be adhered to the second inner surface of the chamber. In certain optional embodiments, the side (i.e., front side or back side) of the stored value carddisplaying the activation indiciamay be the side adhered to the at least one inner surface of the chamber. In other optional embodiments, the side (i.e., front side or back side) of the stored value cardthat is not displaying the activation indiciamay be the side adhered to the at least one inner surface of the chamber. In other optional embodiments, both the front side and back side may be adhered to the inner surfaces of the chamber. It may be preferable in certain instances to adhere the side (i.e., front side or back side) of the stored value carddisplaying the activation indiciato the at least one inner surface of the chamber.

Referring now to, the carriermay include a removable pull-tab. While the exemplary embodiment of the pull-tabis rectangular, it is within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure for the pull-tab to be other shapes and/or sizes. The removable pull-tabmay be defined in either the first or second panels,. In certain optional embodiments, as shown in, the removable pull-tabis defined in the second panel.shows the inner surfaceA of the second panelhaving pull-tabdefined therein wherein the carrierhas not been sealed.shows the outer surfaceB of the second panelhaving pull-tabdefined therein wherein the carrierhas been sealed.shows the outer surfaceB of the second panelwherein the pull-tabhas been partially separated from the second panel.

The removable pull-tabmay include a first perforated edgeand a second perforated edge. The first and second perforated edges,may couple the removable pull-tabto the remaining portions of the either first or second panels,. The removable pull-tabmay include a thumb notchat an end configured to be engaged by a user. The removable pull-tabmay be configured such that when the removable pull-tab is at least partially separated from the corresponding panel,along the first and second perforated edges,, the removable pull-tabmay not be recoupled to the either first or second panel,. Thus, if a fraudster were to remove, even partially, the pull-tab, the fraudster could not recouple the pull-tabto the corresponding panel,. Attempts to recouple the pull-tabwould result in visual clues that may preferably alert the consumer that tampering has taken place.

In certain optional embodiments, the removable pull-tabmay be positioned adjacent to the stored value card. The removable pull-tabmay at least partially cover the activation indiciaof the stored value card. The stored value cardmay be adhered to the removable pull-tab. In certain optional embodiments, at least portions of the stored value cardsurrounding the activation indiciamay be adhered to the removable pull-tab. Thus, the adhesivemay form a perimeter around the activation indiciasuch that the activation indiciais sealed on all sides against the removable pull-tab. In other optional embodiments, the adhesivemay be a single line of adhesivealigned with the activation indiciaor adjacent thereto.

Referring now to, in certain optional embodiments, a labelmay be adhered to the stored value card. The labelmay at least partially cover the activation indiciasuch that the activation indiciacan only be viewed by removal of the label.shows the labeladhered to the stored value card. In optional embodiments wherein the side of the stored value carddisplaying the activation indiciais adhered to an inner surface of the chamber, the labelmay be situated between the stored value cardand inner surface of the chamber. The adhesivemay be applied to the stored value cardadjacent to the labelbut not on the label. Thus, two independent actions must be taken to view the activation indicia. First, a customer must separate the stored value cardfrom the chamber. Second, the customer must remove the labelthat is covering the activation indicia. In other optional embodiments, such as the embodiment in, the labelmay be adhered to the stored value cardand the card adhered to a panel,having a pull-tabdefined therein. Thus, two independent actions must be taken to view the activation indicia. First, a customer must at least partially remove the pull-tabto expose the label. Second, the customer must remove the labelto expose the activation indicia.

The stored value card and carrier systemmay be configured such that accessing of the activation indiciamay necessarily correspond with destruction of at least one of the first and second panels,. In order for a fraudster to access the stored value card, the fraudster must destroy the first panel, second panel, and/or the pull-tab. This destruction may preferably serve as a visual indication that the stored value card and carrier systemhas been tampered with.

In certain optional embodiments, as shown in, the first and/or second panels,may include a plurality of slitsdefined therein. Each of the plurality of slitsmay be cut entirely though the corresponding panel,, or alternatively may be scored into the corresponding panel,. The plurality of slitsmay be located adjacent to at least a portion of the four (4) sidesof the chamber. In certain optional embodiments, the plurality of slitsmay create a substantially continuous perimeter around the card mounting zoneand stored value cardmounted in the chamber. Adhesivemay be applied to the portions of the first and/or second panels,wherein the plurality of slitsare located. Thus, when the first panelis separated from the second panel, tears may occur in the first and/or second panels,adjacent to each of the plurality of slits. Thus, for a fraudster to access the stored value card, the fraudster may necessarily have to, at least partially, destroy first paneland/or the second panel. The destruction (e.g., tears adjacent to the plurality of slits) of at least one of the first and second panels,may serve as a visual indication that the stored value cardhas been tampered with.